Young Oblates by Cristin

Young Oblates by Cristin - December 2013 Scholarship Essay

Young Oblates, a school service group that my high school offers, goes out one Saturday of every month to help feed the homeless, offer clothes and toiletries, and interact with them. We provide music for them, serve them, converse with them and we pray with and for them. This service group, Young Oblates, has taught me so much, and I have experienced so much more than I ever thought was possible.

The first time I joined the Young Oblates and went out to feed the homeless my thoughts about them changed so abruptly; I know a had pity for the homeless, but I did not know so much compassion would fill me when I saw and actually helped them. I arrived at the parish that this feeding took place at with the other Young Oblates, expecting a different scenery and outcome. I expected the place to be inside some sort of building with many homeless people, but instead we were outside of a small parish with a small enough group to interact with. When I first saw the homeless I felt sorry for them; I remember thinking about how badly tattered their clothes were and how hungry they must be, imagining what they must have eaten last and when. But once that day was over, I could not help but become overwhelmed with compassion, wanting to continue helping and serving them. Pity left my mind, and soon wonder and fascination entered. I noticed that the homeless did not necessarily gather at this parish just for food, but for company as well – they enjoy being with others and conversing with us, telling us stories about their lives. Though this is not all, these needy people are grateful for what we do for them, and grateful for God presenting himself through us to help them.

I have been in this service group for two years now, and even today I do not fully understand what it is like to be homeless and in need of food, clothes, and shelter, and empathize with them, but I can sympathize. The homeless are a great influence in my life, though they may not know it. I am very grateful for the opportunity to help make this world a better place, even in one small act. The homeless are people of the world and deserve the same respect and dignity that those of us who are fortunate have. We cannot, and should not, take that away from them and make their situation any worse; but instead we should aid them and lift them up, help them hold on to their human dignity and gain the respect they deserve.

I look up to them for the strength that they have to continue forward, to continue to have faith in God, and for the thankfulness and compassion they have, to not only God, but to those who serve them. Within myself, I have an urge to help others any way possible, and this became one way to continuously help those who are in need.